[Michrider]

My '11 Equinox 4 cyl has an annoying moan/drone for a few seconds or so right when shifting into 5th. 1st through 4th the engine and trans is real smooth, as soon as it hits 5th - hmmmmmmmm. Especially in on a slight incline and a little engine load to it, it just moans annoyingly when it hits 5th at about 50 mph.

Isn't the noise cancellation gizmo suppose to cancel that out? I can cover the microphone and it makes no difference. Have no idea if that is even working or not.

Not using ECO mode, tried it once made it even worse.

 

[Phantm006]

Mine moans and drones a little too. But only at low speed. It's something I've heard with all 4 cylinders. The ANC only works for engine noise up to 2000 rpm and low speeds.

 

[reako]

My '11 Equinox 4 cyl has an annoying moan/drone for a few seconds or so right when shifting into 5th. 1st through 4th the engine and trans is real smooth, as soon as it hits 5th - hmmmmmmmm. Especially in on a slight incline and a little engine load to it, it just moans annoyingly when it hits 5th at about 50 mph.

Isn't the noise cancellation gizmo suppose to cancel that out? I can cover the microphone and it makes no difference. Have no idea if that is even working or not.

Not using ECO mode, tried it once made it even worse.

Mine does the exact same thing. Guess it's normal. I agree, seems like ANC should kick in and cancel that crap out. Oh well.

 

[NoobNox]

Having owned a few 4cyl cars in my lifetime (including Honda/Acura) I'm pretty used to it. To me the groan depends on how much gas you're giving it...if you ease off just a bit right before the shift then you'll get the groan. Having said that, I would have to say the 2.4 Ecotec is one of the better 4cyl engines that I've experienced...just as smooth and revvy as either of the Honda/Acura engines.

 

[Michrider]

Sounds like it's going to be normal. I can't believe they can't make that shift to 5th better. It must do something different than the other shifts, maybe applies the TCC at the shift or something. I'd agree it's a nice engine, and nice to get good mileage wtih an SUV. But this transmission is really annoying. Even the downshifts are annoying. Coasting down everytime right at 34 mph it downshifts to a gear with engine braking. Feels like you're downshifting a manual transmission.

Overall a nice little SUV, with the exception of an annoying transmission. Some powertrain engineers should be embarrassed by that POS.

 

[reako]

Sounds like it's going to be normal. I can't believe they can't make that shift to 5th better. It must do something different than the other shifts, maybe applies the TCC at the shift or something. I'd agree it's a nice engine, and nice to get good mileage wtih an SUV. But this transmission is really annoying. Even the downshifts are annoying. Coasting down everytime right at 34 mph it downshifts to a gear with engine braking. Feels like you're downshifting a manual transmission.

Overall a nice little SUV, with the exception of an annoying transmission. Some powertrain engineers should be embarrassed by that POS.

Just to clarify, and I don't know a whole lot about transmissions, but it seems like I hear this drone when the vehicle shifts into it's final/overdrive gear (6th?), especially on the highway under very light acceleration cruising at about 62-65mph, worse when going up small inclines on the highway (until it drops down a gear).